Shocking footage reveals the dangers of ignoring roadworks warnings

Highways chiefs have released shocking video footage of drivers causing accidents and putting lives at risk by ignoring roadworks restrictions.

The clips show near misses with roadworkers, drivers travelling down closed sections of roads, and collisions, all caused by motorists not paying attention through motorway roadworks.

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There are around 175 incidents per month where vehicles drive into roadworks, putting drivers’ and road workers’ lives at risk.

Highways England has released the footage during National Road Safety Week to highlight the dangers of not paying attention to roadworks and urge drivers across the whole of the UK to take more care.

Mark Byard, director of health and safety at Highways England said: “We appreciate drivers get frustrated by roadworks but also that they understand the need for them - to keep families connected and the country in business. Each month we have around 175 reports of vehicles driving into roadworks, putting both road users and our road workers at risk. When you are driving through roadworks, please pay close attention and keep everyone safe.”

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James Haluch, managing director at Amey Highways and chair of the group focusing on road worker safety added: “In 2019, in Amey alone we recorded 753 vehicles driving into our road closures. Worse still, one of our roadworks vehicles are driven into every four or so months.

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“Each one of these results in injuries to our people and it is generally the case that the physical injuries heal far quicker than the mental health ones. A few moments’ lapse of concentration could be life changing, please give the road your full attention, particularly through roadworks where there may be a temporary change to the road layout.

As part of Road Safety Week Highways England asked road users to respect road workers by slowing down near road works and obeying speed limits and signs. It also warned that that just because workers aren’t visible, it doesn’t mean they are not present. Many operations take place at night, but also applies when visibility is restricted by works vehicles and equipment.

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